Minaj had been in talks with producers at Fox, FremantleMedia and CORE Media Group's 19 Entertainment for weeks, but advertising allegiances held things up, the entertainment industry publication reported. Minaj's Pepsi sponsorship had irked "Idol" partner Coke, though the issue has been resolved, the source, whose name was not reported, said.

Minaj could sign a deal worth about $8 million as early as Sunday, THR reported.

Urban is expect to take a judges seat for about $3 million to $4 million, the source said.

Even with Mariah Carey's $18 million salary, the judges' costs represent a pay scale cut compared to previous seasons of "Idol." By Simon Cowell's final season as a judge, he was making $35 million a year, THR reported.

Meanwhile, original "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson's fate on the singing contest is still unclear. The source told THR producers aren't sure if the music producer will remain as a fourth judge.